As I'm sure when you refer to "Chicago Style" pizza, you mean the deep dish, stuffed thing that was invented in the 1940s....and that nobody I know personally in Chicago....with very few exceptions... ever eats. However, as we just moved away, I did give in after many years just prior to leaving....and had the Cheeseburger Pizza at Genos East in Lake Geneva (but there is at least one in Chicago)....wow....truly amazing....glad I did not know about this for the previous 15 years, as the calories must be off the chart....but a delicious indulgence nonetheless!!!

There is a place in Morton Grove north of the city called Burt's Place...that gets spectacular reviews from critics..and although I've never had it, I've seen it profiled on multiple food shows....and it looks tremendous....but you MUST call your order in ahead...even for dining in...and cash only....one of my biggest regrets never having gotten there..

Now, a REAL Chicago style pizza could not be more different than the aforementioned belly bricks....rather, it is a crispy cracker thin crust....cut into tiny squares....and commonly known as the Chicago Bar Pizza....been served since....well...forever in town.

The best in my opinion is at Marie's on W. Lawrence Ave....ahhhhh....just the best...plus REAL old retro Chicago ambiance....servers been there for decades....get the sausage pie..and order it cooked well done (trust me)

Others of this genre:

D'agostinos on SouthportPaternos on N. MilwaukeeCalo on N. Clark St.Father and Sons on Milwaukee

Sam, I had a good Chicago Deep dish pizza last time I was there, many yrs ago. To me eating something other than a CDDP in Chicago, would be like eating a Polish sausage in Little Italy, or Chicago Style Hot Dog on 42nd st in NYC..........There is a unwritten law, written by (Chewingthefat) that states.......When in Rome do as the Romans, when in Maryland, eat BBQ............I follows these rules..............

Exactly klan....if one wants to eat as the Romans do in Chicago...then it is cracker crust all the way....

Again...and this is not a slam in any way, but the vast majority deep dish eaters tend to be tourists....and folks from the burbs (some of my dearest friends I might add)...so really pnwchef,,I sincerely DO subscribe to your philosophy ...that's why I suggested the places I did, so you can get a genuine feel for how locals eat...(and believe me I KNOW the "I'm a local, and all I eat is deep dish" posts are coming...but again, just 20 plus years of personal resident experience!

That being said, for the style you crave, I think Genos does the best job....oh, and the old Lou Malnatis in Lincolnwood....better than the one downtown in my opinion...they will even make you one with no bread....cheese, sauce and toppings only...great flavor without that heavy crust!

And again, just one doofus' opinion, but I would avoid UNO and DUE..the inventors of this style....long long waits for a pizza that tastes the same (average) at any of their national chain locations around the country...

Chicago' s "pizza culture" has really exploded in the last few years....you can now get authentic Neopolitan style, New Haven style, Sicilian style, New York style...it's really become quite a competitive market....but as for Chicago style....thick or thin, those would be my recommendations...

I am fond of Gino's East on Superior St. It is a Chicago landmark. I know that many roadfooders (one in particular) are devoted to Burt's Place but I have never been there so I can't comment. If you're staying in the Loop or on the Mag Mile Gino's is much more convenient. I am a fan of their sausage pizza with the whole patty of sausage that covers the entire pizza. I have been going to Gino's since I was a kid so it could be the nostalgia factor that clouds my judgement. I have been to Lou Malnati's and it is good but my favorite continues to be Gino's. Wherever you end up going ENJOY!

I guess when I think of Chicago, I think deep dish pizza. I only get there once every 10 or 15 yrs. I know it may not be the best pizza in town, but, it will be a slice of tradition at our table. We are off to NYC after that, for me it's deli's and traditional foods around town. From there it's Philadelphia with more traditional foods. As you can see we are hitting some real good roadfood cities, I am ready, willing and waiting for some great food...........thx for the help ..................Bill

Not many places you can get a good roast beef sandwich in the PNW. Portillo's sounds good, nice Irish name, how could I go wrong........Portillo's is just a few blocks down the street from where we are staying, sounds like a good way to start the day,Italian beef dipped with sweet peppers for breakfast........................I don't know why Washington State knows nothing about Roast beef sandwiches, I would think Roast beef would be an all American sandwich in any state you go too..............It's not like we have a shortage of beef in this country. .........thx...............pnwc

Oh my...Portillos Italian Beef.......yummmmmmm....but get some hot giardinara on the side at least....really great balance with the sweet peppers! And you are right to get it "wet"

And believe it or not,,Portillos has amazing chocolate cake!

And I make no apologies for the next recommendation....but you have to hit the Billy Goat for a double cheeseburger...OR a salami and egg sandwich....true classic old Chicago greasy joint..

Plus, your hotel is so close you are practically on top of it....you can probably smell the grill from your room!! :)

Oh..and when in NY...see link below....used to work around corner.....Eisenbergs...a real piece of NY deli history!

I saw the Billy Goat on a food channel the other night, it looked great and like you said, it's Chicago all the way. I looked at Eisenberg Deli, WOW, it looks like the old time delis, lunch counter and all. I love these kind of places, they are getting far and few between.................. I was in Palm Dessert Calif last week, I stopped at Shermans deli for a Hot Pastrami on Rye. Lets just say, I can't want to get back to the pastrami I love and remember in NYC..........I wish I could tell you how the pickles were but, my little girl downed them as fast as they brought them out.................thx...................Bill

I know this is a Pizza thread and your time in Chicago is limited----but---- If you have time for some of the best Baby Backs you'll ever eat, check out Miller's Pub. It epitomizes what an old Chicago Saloon is all about! Capone could be sitting at the corner table.www.millerspub.com

Yes, yes, YES....Millers Pub!....even if you don't have a chance to eat, at least have a drink at the bar! Legendary!...and agree about the ribs......local "foodie" types put down this style of "fall off the bone" ribs as "meat jello"...preferring the more southern style....but good is good...and these are very good....again, an example of classic Chicago food.

You can also get a pretty damn fine, inexpensive prime rib too...

Lots of old photos covering the walls...a veritable museum of Chicago celebrities (some borderline) through the years...and if Mike the bartender is there....he's the oldest one.....ask him about the movie he was in!

So many places, so little time. Millers Pub looks great, it has the kind of ribs my wife loves. The reason I am doing Pizza is, my wife has good memories of Chicago style pizza and a Greek salad that we shared on a business trip to Chicago. I like places like Millers, the old Chicago bar and restaurant. This is the reason we are going back to Peter Lugers in NYC, great food by people that have been doing it for ever. ............thx for al the great restaurant ideas, some of these choices will be on the schedule in June........................Bill

First off, Portillo's is a complete waste of money. Stale bread, beef as tough as asphalt. Save your money for a beef from Al's. Now, pizza...cracker crust is the only way to go. South side, Nick & Vitos is a must. If you up north, try Barnaby's..they have a few locations, each is individually owned and operated, our fav is in DesPlaines.

Portillo's a waste of money? I don't agree at all. While Al's is my favorite Italian beef place, I've enjoyed many beef sandwiches at various Portillo's locations. In fact, Portillo's is my third favorite after Al's and Mr. Beef on Orleans ( Johnnie's and Pop's rate high on my list too. )

Bob, I'm not a fan of Portillo's based solely on the fact that they've grown to "Chain Size". Nothing wrong with their food, but nothing particularly special either. Gimme a good ol' Mom & Pop joint for an Italian Beef sandwich any day.

I'm more a fan of Al's than Mr. Beef, but as far as I'm concerned, Johnnie's is the total package. Never had Pop's 'cause you've never taken me there. What's the hold up?

Buddy, with the exception of one on North Ave. in Elmhurst, all of Pop's locations are in the south suburbs and northwestern Indiana ( 12 in all. ) If you feel like driving down to my neck of the woods sometime to sample their goodies, just let me know; there's one less than 10 minutes from my place.

OK, now that I'm all screwed up on where to go for an Italian Beef ??? Portillo's and Al's Beef are a block apart with Mcdonalds being right across the street (McDonalds will keep Mollie happy)........they are all on W Ontario st about 4 or 5 blocks from my Hotel.................What is it guys Portillo's or Al's ???????????????????

Portillo's a waste of money? I don't agree at all. While Al's is my favorite Italian beef place, I've enjoyed many beef sandwiches at various Portillo's locations. In fact, Portillo's is my third favorite after Al's and Mr. Beef on Orleans ( Johnnie's and Pop's rate high on my list too. )

I agree about Portillo's, been eating there ( and a few others) since Dick Portillo opened his first. Always consistently good.

OK, now that I'm all screwed up on where to go for an Italian Beef ??? Portillo's and Al's Beef are a block apart with Mcdonalds being right across the street (McDonalds will keep Mollie happy)........they are all on W Ontario st about 4 or 5 blocks from my Hotel.................What is it guys Portillo's or Al's ???????????????????

Portillo's has more than just beefs if not everyone in you party is in to that. Great char burgers, tuna steak sandwiches, roasted pepper sandwiches, salads. I don't know that location features but some have ribs, other feature pasta. It's a big crazy place!http://www.portillos.com/portillos/

Given a choice between Portillo's and Al's, I'd say it's Al's, hands down, especially if you go to the Taylor Street location. For starters, you'll get fresh cut fries at Al's. Portillo's serves a frozen institutional brand.

Second, right across the street from Al's on Taylor Street is Mario's Italian Ice stand. Skip the Coke at Al's. Go to Mario's for an ice cold slushy Italian Ice. One person in your party stands in line at Al's for the sandwiches and fries, the other person stands in line at Mario's for the ices. If you time it out right, you'll both be meeting back at the trunk of your car at the same time. Al's has an indoor eating area, standing at a counter, but don't bring Mario's Ice into Al's; bad form. Instead opt for one for the outdoor tables, or as stated before, you can dine "ala trunk".

In June you should be able to get one of Mario's fresh fruit flavored ices. I'm partial to cantaloupe, but there's also watermelon and tutti frutti, available on a regular basis. Less certain, but totally worth it if it's available, is the fresh peach. They also have about a dozen and a half syrup based flavors always available. Or you could always just get classic lemon.

Oh yeah, the other reason I like Al's over Portillo's, I just think Al's serves a better beef sandwich.

Hot, sweet, dipped. Maybe even a combo with Italian sausage. Portillo's has good hot dogs and burgers too, but Al's is better in my opinion. Italian beefs are easily my second favorite sammich, only after a roast pork w/broccoli rabe in Philly. I've resorted to making ghetto versions at home.

I know Chicagoans aren't big on deep dish pizza, but I'd never go to Chicago without stopping at Giordano's. Their spinach stuffed pizza is amazing.

Another cool place to go is where they make the pizzas pot pies. It's just so different and fun. I think it's called The Oven Grinder Co, but I'm sure someone here can correct me.